Does anyone know of a good resource to help aid a GM in giving out XP, such as a table or calculator? The book isn't very specific, so maybe someone has some good resources that they use...
Thanks!
I think it's like page 397 of the book. there's a very easy to read table. also it can be found http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gamemastering.html
Does anyone know of a good resource to help aid a GM in giving out XP, such as a table or calculator? The book isn't very specific, so maybe someone has some good resources that they use...
Thanks!
Since there are no longer any XP costs for making items or casting spells in Pathfinder, I just threw XP out the window. You can get an idea of what level your PCs are supposed to be for each part of an adventure by looking at the encounter difficulties. This also allows you to go faster or slower based on how easy/hard a time they're having with the encounters. Last campaign I DMed, I decided to just give us a level up every 2-3 sessions, with the level always coming in a convenient place in terms of where we were in the module. If they were still in the dungeon, they'd get a level upon defeating it and returning to town, etc. This was a lot less work for me and way more flexible.
I agree with FrinkiacVII. XP per se is an outdated concept. More outdated than you might think, since I haven't used it since 1980. Let the PC's level up when it fits the story (generally at the end of an adventure or of a large chapter of that adventure) and ignore the numbers.
Take the Adventure Paths for example. Most are written so that each adventure covers two levels. Perfect! Your PC's level up halfway through and at the end of each adventure. Writing your own adventures? Well, whenever the PC's accomplish some large task or resolve some significant plot point...it's time for a level.
I like to use experience points. Helps me gauge how long each level should last. If the PCs fight hard things, they level faster. It's risk to reward.
I frown on people trying to farm boar kills for xp, though. Way frown!
Well ... I've done away w/exp outright.
Now, I run by "marks" in that it will require X amount of marks to "level up" the character.
This number is static and decided by the will of the group (3 marks - 6+ marks/level).
Marks are awarded for any/all of the following:
1) Overcome a challenge (combat or non-combat solutions equally valid) ==> +1 mark usually, +2 on "tough" challenges
2) Overcome particularly difficult challenge, or using particularly effective/crafty tactics ==> +1 mark more than normally awarded
3) Role Playing appropriate reactions, interactions, etc ==> very loose and open in interpretation here. Generosity on my end as GM is best for the most part.
4) Making progress towards some game-relevant plot or adventure solutions ==>+1 mark
5) Exceptional game moment (very broad and ranging from making everyone bust out laughing, to lucky rolls, to character critical decisions in game) ==> +1 mark
That's about it for me at this point, though. Calculating niggling little bits and pieces of xp for downed foes just really grates on my nerves to figure it all out. Then there's traps and junk - FAR too much GM effort, IMO, to calculate that junk all out. Marks work just fine and are WAY easier to calculate on the fly.